BJP income rises by 81.18%, Congress's dips 14%
New Delhi, April 10: The income of the BJP increased by 81.18 per cent to Rs 1,034.27 crore while that of the Congress decreased by 14 per cent to Rs 225.36 crore between 2015-16 and 2016-17, a report released on Tuesday said.
According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report, seven national parties -- the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Trinamool Congress -- have declared a total income of Rs 1,559.17 crore and expenditures of Rs 1,228.26 crore.
The report, based on the submissions made to the Election Commission, compared the total income of the BJP and Congress, their expenditure and sources of income.
"Between 2015-16 and 2016-17, the income of BJP increased by 81.18 per cent (Rs 463.41 crore) from Rs 570.86 crore to Rs 1034.27 crore while the income of the Congress decreased by 14 per cent (Rs 36.20 crore) from Rs 261.56 crore to Rs 225.36 crore," it said.
The BJP had declared expenditures of Rs 710.057 crore during 2016-17 while Congress incurred Rs 321.66 crore -- Rs 96.30 crore more than its total income.
The report said that both the parties have declared "donations/ contributions" as one of their three main sources of income.
"The grant/ donations/ contributions of Rs 997.12 crore declared by the BJP forms 96.41 per cent of the total income of the party during 2016-17. Declaration of Rs 115.644 crore under revenue from issuance of coupons by the Congress forms top most income of the party, contributing 51.32 per cent of its total income during the fiscal," it added.
The report said that the seven national parties collected a maximum of 74.98 per cent (Rs 1,169.07 crore) income from voluntary contributions for 2016-17.
Voluntary contributions accounted for 60 per cent (Rs 616.05 crore) of their income in the previous fiscal.
These parties received Rs 128.60 crore income in bank interest in the same fiscal.
The release said that the due date for submission of annual audited accounts for the parties was October 30, 2017, but the BJP submitted its report on Februray 8 and Congress on March 19.
The ADR said the BJP, Congress, NCP and CPI have consistently delayed submitting their audit reports for the past five years.
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Karnataka Maritime Board announces plans for Mangaluru Water Metro Project
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Nov 4: After being endowed with multi connectivity facilities like three national highways, port and airport, Mangaluru city is now looking at a significant move towards sustainable urban mobility as the Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB) has announced plans for the Mangaluru Water Metro Project (MWMP), officials said on Monday.
This ambitious initiative aims to transform public transportation in the state, utilising National Waterways to connect areas along the Nethravathi (NW-74) and Gurupura (NW-43) rivers, they said.
Set to become India's second-largest water transport system after Kochi, the project promises an eco-friendly, economical and efficient mode of travel, the officials said.
According to officials, the MWMP will connect isolated communities from Bajal to Maravoor, enhancing accessibility and promoting the holistic development of these regions. The initiative is expected to boost local livelihoods and improve the standard of living through integrated transport networks.
According to the project report available with PTI, the MWMP will be rolled out in phases, with the initial stretch covering 30 kilometres along the Nethravathi and Gurupura river backwaters.
The priority route, beginning at Bajal on the Nethravathi and extending to the Maravoor Bridge on the Gurupura, will feature around 17 modern Metro stations.
Key locations such as Someshwara Temple, Ullal and the New Mangalore Port are included in the proposed route. State-of-the-art electric and diesel catamaran boats will be deployed, equipped with essential amenities to ensure a high standard of comfort and operational efficiency.
A comprehensive Feasibility Report (FR) will assess the project's viability, presenting a detailed cost-benefit analysis, market potential, operational strategies and environmental considerations.
"The report will objectively evaluate the project's merits and challenges, providing crucial information for decision-makers, stakeholders and investors," they said.
Officials in the port and fisheries subdivision told PTI that key areas of analysis has been based on assessing the potential to decongest old port areas, exploring the feasibility of cargo movement using Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) water metros, examining water level variations influenced by tidal flows, integration with feeder services to ensure seamless last-mile connectivity, demand forecasts over a 25-year period, based on extensive socio-economic research of usage and utility of the MWMP.
The project's Terms of Reference (ToR) emphasise sustainable development, involving thorough site identification, user demand assessments and environmental impact studies. Comprehensive surveys such as LIDAR mapping, bathymetric studies and topographical analysis will ensure accurate planning and implementation, the officials told.
Furthermore, technical collaborations with national institutes of repute will support studies on wave tranquillity, vessel height clearance and infrastructure recommendations for jetties and repair facilities, they said.
A detailed environmental monitoring programme will assess air and water quality, noise levels and aquatic biodiversity in line with Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) guidelines, the officials added.
The officials of the Maritime Board said the MWMP promises significant economic and environmental benefits, from easing traffic congestion to reducing air pollution. The project will also explore non-fare revenue streams and develop models to ensure financial sustainability.
A socio-economic impact assessment will measure the project's contribution to regional development, backed by projected revenue from passenger fares and ancillary services, a senior official said.
The Board also aims at championing cleaner and greener transportation and to set a precedent for sustainable urban mobility, positioning Mangaluru as a progressive city that leverages its waterways, he added.
